I felt chills crawl up my spine under Mother's stare.
Her presence alone pressed down on me like an invisible mountain, crushing the air from my lungs. Even breathing felt heavy.
Speaking was impossible.
All I could do was stare back as she calmly approached, her expression as cold and distant as always.
From what I remembered, she had never smiled once in my entire life.
When she finally stopped in front of me, she raised her slender hand and gripped my chin, forcing my gaze to meet hers.
Her fingers were cool.
I could feel her breath against my face.
My body stiffened instinctively.
For several seconds she said nothing, simply studying me with those deep, merciless eyes before muttering quietly,
"Interesting… such potency for cursed energy."
She released my chin.
A faint blue wisp condensed in her palm.
The moment it appeared, I felt something deep within my bones vibrate, like a distant resonance responding to its presence.
Then it disappeared as suddenly as it had formed.
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed slightly.
For the first time, hesitation flickered across her thoughts.
'Should I kill him now? Or… perhaps he could be useful later…'
The thought lingered.
When I was younger, killing me had never been an option.
But now that I had grown…
Eliminating me would be effortless.
She could simply announce that I had been assassinated.
No one in the clan would dare question the matriarch.
If anything, my death would only inflame the Targaryans' hatred and push them to hunt even more cursed monsters.
'Killing him would bring a great deal of resources to the clan.'
Her thoughts continued to spiral until she suddenly heard a voice.
Not someone calling the matriarch.
Someone calling her something else.
"Mo… mother?" I forced the word out with difficulty.
The pressure around me intensified immediately.
The look in Elizabeth's eyes turned colder.
Whatever she had been considering… it definitely wasn't good.
I had to act.
And this was the only move I had.
In the Targaryan clan, we rarely used that word.
Everything was about rules. Authority. Responsibility.
Family sentiment barely existed.
But even so… perhaps this one word might still mean something.
Elizabeth froze.
The killing intent in her eyes receded slightly.
Even she seemed uncertain why.
'I've never seen someone react to cursed energy like he does…'
Her gaze lingered on me thoughtfully.
'I'll study him for a year. One year is nothing. There's no possible way he could reach my level in that time.'
Her decision quickly settled.
'If he proves useless after that… I'll eliminate him. Handing the clan to his sister has always been the plan anyway.'
The oppressive pressure filling the room vanished instantly.
I released a long breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
My fist tightened unconsciously.
'I almost died…'
My teeth clenched.
'Just because I'm weak? Just because I'm nothing more than a disposable pawn?'
I forced myself to stand upright.
Elizabeth's gaze swept across the room, taking in the aftermath calmly.
"Clean up and head to the training ground," she said.
Her tone was absolute.
"From today onward, you will become a cursed fighter."
Before I could even respond, her figure disappeared.
The moment she vanished, my legs gave out and I collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.
Standing in front of my adopted mother was exhausting.
Every moment felt like my life was balanced on the edge of a blade.
'Damnation…'
I cursed inwardly as I slowly stood up, forcing my breathing to steady.
Then suddenly—
My system flashed into existence.
[Ding! Compatible target detected. Initiate sexual bonding to complete system link.]
[Name: Elizabeth Targaryan]
[Age: ??]
[Trait analysis: cold, ruthless, loyal, devoted, cunning, unstable…]
[Weaknesses: compliments, domination, control, hardcore sex…]
My breathing stopped.
I stared at the glowing text in disbelief.
'System… are you serious?'
My adopted mother.
A compatible target.
'Are you trying to get me killed?'
Even thinking about touching Elizabeth like that felt like signing my own death sentence.
Still…
I couldn't deny the thought was tempting.
But conquering her heart?
That was absurd.
Elizabeth wasn't Lydia.
Winning her over would be like trying to tame a storm.
This was practically an impossible mission.
Yet if I somehow succeeded…
Her talent.
Her power.
Her cultivation.
All of it would feed directly into my own growth.
My strength could explode to an unimaginable level.
I rubbed the back of my head, thinking for a moment before pushing the idea aside.
For now, survival mattered more.
If an opportunity ever appeared… I would consider it then.
With that thought, I glanced to the side.
Lydia was still lying peacefully on the bed.
As if sensing my gaze, she stirred slightly before slowly opening her eyes.
The moment she saw me, she froze.
"Ah!" Lydia gasped, jumping upright as memories from last night rushed back.
"You—young master? What happened to you?" she asked in shock.
I frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
She raised a trembling finger and pointed toward the mirror.
I turned.
Then froze.
My reflection stared back at me.
I blinked once.
Twice.
'What the fuck happened to me?'
I looked completely different.
The first thing I realized was that I was completely naked.
'Then my mother just now…'
My eyes widened slightly.
She had been staring at me like this the entire time.
'…And she didn't react at all? Not even a flicker?'
Somehow that felt strangely disappointing.
Still, another thought slowly surfaced.
The urge to conquer that cold jade beauty.
'Domination, huh…'
The idea of dominating the woman who had always stood above everyone felt unfamiliar.
But strangely… appealing.
I pushed the thought aside and examined my reflection more carefully.
Yesterday I had been about five foot nine.
Now I stood well over six foot three.
My body had changed completely.
Lean muscle lined my frame naturally, and my features had sharpened to an almost unreal degree.
Sharp brows.
A perfectly sculpted jaw.
And my eyes…
Silver pupils filled with tiny swirling nebulas.
It felt like staring at something divine.
The difference between my past self and this body was like comparing a mortal to a god.
"Now we're talking," I muttered with a small grin.
Turning toward Lydia, I gave her a warm smile.
Her cheeks flushed instantly.
She struggled to meet my gaze.
'Why is he suddenly so handsome…? Did I really… last night… with him?' she wondered in disbelief.
For a moment she even looked slightly unworthy.
I easily saw through her thoughts and shook my head.
"Since I said you're my woman, don't worry about me changing my mind."
Her expression softened slightly.
"The matriarch was here earlier," I continued. "She told me to get dressed and head to the training ground."
"The matriarch?" Lydia flinched, her face turning pale.
"Relax," I said calmly.
"Later, go and register your status as my personal maid. That way no one else can give you orders."
She hesitated briefly before nodding.
As she moved, the duvet slid off her body.
Her naked form was revealed instantly.
My gaze froze.
'You have training today… now isn't the time…'
Her body was dangerously tempting.
Noticing my reaction, Lydia suddenly grinned mischievously.
Apparently she enjoyed teasing me.
As she reached down to grab a black training outfit from the pile nearby, she deliberately bent forward.
Her slightly moist pussy lips were exposed completely.
Her movements were slow.
Deliberate.
Infuriatingly seductive.
After grabbing the clothes, she turned and looked at me innocently.
Holding them to her chest, she asked,
"Would this be suitable, young master?"
"Yes," I groaned.
Lydia blinked, amused, before walking toward me and handing over the outfit.
I quickly dressed, trying to calm my raging shaft beneath her playful gaze.
Once I finished, I lightly slapped her ass.
"You've suddenly become a bad girl."
"I'll need to teach you a lesson tonight."
"Ahhh… master…" Lydia moaned softly, biting her lip with excitement flickering in her eyes.
"Fuck…" I muttered under my breath.
Gathering the last of my self-control, I turned and finally left the room.